Archive for the ‘Chevrolet Corvair Spyder’ tag

Three installments in to the $5,000 Challenge (which we will continue on a semi-regular basis, at least until we’ve exhausted the supply of cars worth diving into), it’s becoming clear that entry-level collector cars exist to meet a variety of budgets and tastes. This week’s crop is no exception, and one one of the candidates has the potential to be a wild card. Ask yourself: Are you feeling lucky?

The seller of this classic German sedan isn’t giving us much to go on. The pictures are small and low-resolution, probably shot with a cell phone camera and uploaded over a slow internet connection. The description tells us that the car comes with a clean title, and that its dual carburetors were “once rebuilt.” The car comes with a box of parts and isn’t in running condition, but that’s about all we can derive from the ad. If you’re knowledgeable about German cars from the 1950s, think of this find like a lottery ticket; for a minimal investment (the asking price is $1,800, but the car has to go by December 20), this wildcard could be an enjoyable and potentially profitable project.

We’d disagree with the seller’s claim that the car is rust-free, since the bulk of its beautiful patina seems to consist of iron oxide. We’re sure he meant that the body is free from rust-through, which would make this postwar Pontiac perfect for preservation (no more alliteration, we promise). The current caretaker claims that “Ole Chief” (the car’s name) has been family owned for over five decades and includes new tires, brakes, fuel lines, fuel pump, wiring and turn signals. With all instruments and lights operational, the only work required from Chief’s next caretaker may well be routine maintenance. The asking price? $4,450.

Corvairs have not followed the meteoric rise in pricing of other sporty cars from the 1960s, which makes them ideal candidates for those looking to break into the hobby. Most repair parts are readily available, and numerous shops continue to specialize in Chevrolet’s under-appreciated rear-engined offering. This 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder convertible is really a two-for-one deal, as the sale includes both a turbocharged 150-horsepower flat-six plus a second dual-carburetor engine. In fact, a donor Monza Spyder coupe also looks to be part of the deal for those with space for a parts car. From the description, the ragtop Corvair comes with plenty of new parts, making the asking price of $4,500 seem that much more reasonable.

Fifth generation Ford Thunderbirds tend to be polarizing cars, as some object to their luxury direction while others find the fighter-jet-inspired grille to be a bit over the top for an otherwise refined car. This example has reportedly amassed just 85,000 miles over its 45-year life, and appears to be in decent shape both inside and out. Aside from sourcing new wheels to replace the faux-wire-spoke wheels (missing the wire covers) the car wears today, the next owner will need to sort out the issues with the transmission and 429-cu.in. Thunder-Jet V-8. For those long on mechanical skills but short on body or interior experience, this T-bird could make an interesting weekend driver. The asking price? $4,900.

Vintage trucks have a surprisingly large audience, despite the fact that they’re often less than ideal drivers on modern roads. This 1946 Dodge spent its early life in the service of Niagara Mohawk, a regional power company. Restored two decades back, the truck will need to have its brakes checked out and a fuel line problem sorted before it can be put back into service, but both jobs are likely within the capabilities of most handy with tools. On the down side, the interior is missing panels, which will likely require fabrication since we’re not aware of vendors making repop panels for Dodge commercial trucks. The asking price? $4,600.

It seems like the Corvair was always playing a game of catch-up over its decade of existence. Chevrolet introduced it to catch up to the demand for compacts initiated by the Volkswagen, and later added a turbocharged model to catch up to the demand for high-horsepower compacts initiated by the Falcon. That, of course, glosses over the details and the character of the Corvair Spyder, which Arch Brown captured in his story for SIA #128, March 1992.